Prevalence and Determinants of Dental Caries in Shashemene Woreda
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Date
1995-05
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
A cross sectional community based survey to
determine the prevalence of dental caries in Shashemene
woreda, 250 Km. South Eastern part of Ethiopia was
conducted between November 1994 and December 1994.
A total of 1228 individuals, 630 (51.3%) males and
598 (48.7%) females participated in the study. The
overall dental caries prevalence rate was found to be
51.4% 631 of the total 1228 people being affected, The
prevalence of dental caries was found to be hgher among
the rural resdents 53.7% of the total 821 people examined
being affected as compared to 46 . 4% of the total 407
urban population studied respectively.
Females were affected more than males, 315 (52.7%)
of the total 598 and 316 (50 . 2%) of t he total 630
respectively. The difference was statistically
significant OR= 1.81(1. 32 , 2. 49) .The survey also
elucidated that the disease prevalence increases with age
old people being affected more, only 11.8% of those aged
60 years and above being caries free.
The risk factors for dental caries identified in
this study were age (being old), sex
residence (being rural r esident) ,
(being a female),
low education,
consumption of sweet food items, Khat chewing, presence
of food remnants in the oral cavity, gi-ngivitis, cal culi
and plaque.
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The study has elucidated that dental caries
prevalence is high, more than half of the studied
population being affected by dental caries. It seems that
the "excellent Ethiopian teeth" practically is becoming
a legend this days.
Strengthening of health education in the health
institutions and initiation of health education programme
in schools, training of adequate health man power to deal
with oral health problems and further studies to identify
other risk factors and treatment requirement are
recommended.
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Keywords
Prevalence and Determinants of Dental Caries